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My oldest child (will be 17 and a Senior at the time of the trip) is thrilled. She's wanted to go to Paris since she was a little girl.

My younger daughter (will be 12 at the time of the trip) is less than thrilled She only wanted to go last year when I went because the Minecraft convention (Minecon) was in Paris... Disneyland Paris doesn't seem to entice her one little bit.

Any experienced festers with taking a pre-teen to Paris (or Europe)?

I plan to get an apartment, so we dont' have to eat every meal out. I've used the metro and am familiar with navigating the city core. Will likely stay on the left bank in the 6th or 7th arrondissement.

My 2 cents:
If the 12 y.o. isn't ready for it, and you have the option to leave her with someone while you go, then I'd make the trip with just the 17 y.o. An unhappy pre-teen can really make things bad for everyone. You can make a lifetime memory with the one who will soon be out of the nest, and maybe do some special one-on-one trip with the younger one in a few years.

My 2 cents:
If the 12 y.o. isn't ready for it, and you have the option to leave her with someone while you go, then I'd make the trip with just the 17 y.o. An unhappy pre-teen can really make things bad for everyone. You can make a lifetime memory with the one who will soon be out of the nest, and maybe do some special one-on-one trip with the younger one in a few years.

My younger daughter was 13 when we done ED - she was trilled with all this European cities, food all experience. Maybe she change her mind when she see all attraction of Paris.

I'm guessing the 12 YO isn't into art. If she was, the Louvre and Musee de Orsay would be enough to get her to go. The Palace of Versailles would probably be good with her; it works for almost all ages. Paris is probably more fun for adults than children.

Do you have to stay in Paris? Maybe take a TGV out to Tours; it's only about an hour ride, and then tour some of the castles and gardens along the Loire River. I think this would be good for people of all ages. Maybe check out a few of the wineries in the area for a little wine sampling too.

My 2 cents:
If the 12 y.o. isn't ready for it, and you have the option to leave her with someone while you go, then I'd make the trip with just the 17 y.o. An unhappy pre-teen can really make things bad for everyone. You can make a lifetime memory with the one who will soon be out of the nest, and maybe do some special one-on-one trip with the younger one in a few years.

We discussed this earlier today. Both her sister and I want her to go. We're into doing stuff together. I think she'll enjoy it once she's there but who knows with her

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB330

My younger daughter was 13 when we done ED - she was trilled with all this European cities, food all experience. Maybe she change her mind when she see all attraction of Paris.

Just show the tween this video and she'll get super excited about the trip.

Seriously though. I bet she gets excited once you're there.

Good idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by khovik

I remember being there at ~12yo, and the Eiffel tower, Notre dame and Versailles gave the strongest positive impressions. If she has any interest in history, Paris is an awesome place, even for a kid.

That's what I'm thinking too. Thx

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrischeung

Do you have any money? Give a few hundred to spend on French designer accessories. Make it in return for something.

Is she into biking? If so, fat tire bike tours is really great.

She's loaded so she's all set with the shopping money Somewhat into biking, but the weather isn't quite so accommodating in November.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregD

I'm guessing the 12 YO isn't into art. If she was, the Louvre and Musee de Orsay would be enough to get her to go. The Palace of Versailles would probably be good with her; it works for almost all ages. Paris is probably more fun for adults than children.

Do you have to stay in Paris? Maybe take a TGV out to Tours; it's only about an hour ride, and then tour some of the castles and gardens along the Loire River. I think this would be good for people of all ages. Maybe check out a few of the wineries in the area for a little wine sampling too.

No, we don't have to stay in Paris. I was thinking a day trip to Chartres.

I was 12 when I first went to Paris - I was thrilled, you couldn't have convinced me it wasn't going to be awesome. If she doesn't want to go I'd leave her with relatives if that is an option - why waste the $.

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Dont sweat it, been there with kids in an apt, at any age Paris is a blast. It is impossible to get bored in that city. Have fun.

Thanks. That's kinda my thoughts too, however this one can be a real stick in the mud at times. She's a really picky eater. I think that will be one of the hardest parts of all this. My french isn't good enough to order her stuff plain, so she's going to have to suck it up and live with what she gets

Thanks. That's kinda my thoughts too, however this one can be a real stick in the mud at times. She's a really picky eater. I think that will be one of the hardest parts of all this. My french isn't good enough to order her stuff plain, so she's going to have to suck it up and live with what she gets

There is plenty of meat, chicken, potatoes, bread, eggs to go around. You can get toast, jam, eggs over easy, OJ for breakfast. And who does not like a Nutella Crepe? Avoid the fancy restaurants, the tourist traps, and you will be just fine. The French restaurants in the US are not a good representation of the basic average French fare you will have in Paris. The notion that French food is only about Scargots, Foie Gras, or Cuisses de Grenouille (frog legs) is an american biased and limited one. And there are always plenty of pizzerias and chinese food joints among many other international options too, so options are limitless. Add some Crème brûlée and chocolate torte and she will be just fine.

There is plenty of meat, chicken, potatoes, bread, eggs to go around. You can get toast, jam, eggs over easy, OJ for breakfast. And who does not like a Nutella Crepe? Avoid the fancy restaurants, the tourist traps, and you will be just fine. The French restaurants in the US are not a good representation of the basic average French fare you will have in Paris. The notion that French food is only about Scargots, Foie Gras, or Cuisses de Grenouille (frog legs) is an american biased and limited one. And there are always plenty of pizzerias and chinese food joints among many other international options too, so options are limitless. Add some Crème brûlée and chocolate torte and she will be just fine.

Believe it or not, she would refuse a Nutella Crepe, Creume Brulee and Gateau au Chocolate.

I went to French Culinary school and just got back from a week in Paris in November. Having an eater like her drives me CRAZY. Don't get me started

This will be my 3trip to Paris and 4th to France. My older daughter and I will be fine with the food there and I am pretty sure I can steer the little one in the right direction but you've heard that expression "you can lead a horse to water..." I am hoping a little hunger and no alternatives will do wonders for her

Short of that, as you point out, meat is readily available (she is a meat lover) and they french excel at Pomme Frites.